The newly inaugurated railway to Tibet represents the Chinese Government´s attempt to strengthen their control of the Tibetan people by making them a minority with Han Chinese now dominating and will facilitate the continued pillage of Tibet´s natural resources, the world must join together to pressure the Chinese Government to grant real autonomy to the Tibetan people and allow His Holiness The Dalai Lama to return to his homeland.  

China has not only mined resources that belong to Tibetans from Tibet; since 1950 over one million Tibetans have been killed by the Chinese invasion.
The Chinese government has deforested most of Eastern Tibet, putting further at risk endangered species such as the Panda and Tibetan Antelope. They have nuclear power plants and testing areas at key spots around Tibet, but that's not something they will tell you on the train. Rivers in Tibet are the headwaters of the water supply to the majority of Asia, about 40% of the worlds population. More than just a tourism concern.

When I was in Lhasa I saw a young Tibetan boy being beaten by the Chinese police. I think it's time to stop hoping that China's government will do right by Tibet.
Give Tibet back to the Tibetans!

Thanks for the article.  I have not been to Tibet, however have been told by Tibetans that the mining etc has indeed already started.  With natural resources at stake, it becomes even more unlikely that the Chinese govt. will come to a fair and peaceful agreement with the Tibetans over their own country. Now there is a generation born in exile with all the economic,social & political issues that accompany that.  

As much as I would like to see an independent Tibet,  the concept is essentially a pipe dream.  The article nailed it directly when the author mentioned demographics of around 50/50.  The Beijing government only has to play a waiting game.  The wait until the Han population exceeds the local Tibetan population.  They wait until the Dalai Lama passes away, and then appoint a replacement themselves.  They wait until their education campaign indoctrinates the younger population into accepting Tibet as an historical region of China, like it viewed as by the Han Chinese.  Foreign opposition is insignificant, as China has become too important to the world economy.  They know they just have to wait.

Tibet and it's culture (unfortunately) us on the path to assimilation, with remnants held on for commercial value...and there isn't much anyone can do about it.  As my Tibetan friend told me..."Beijing holds all the cards"  

Thanks for the outstanding article about Tibet. I shot a documentary there last spring which I'm finishing now. Your observations are extremely accurate, particularly the percentage of Chinese to Tibetans. The train is crucial to the Chinese marginalizing Tibetans and exploiting natural resources. I got into remote western Tibet, Toling, Tsochen and other cities, and the transformation is just as startling. The environmental damage is just beginning. We videotaped horns of poached, endangered Tibetan antelope on sale in the street markets of Shigatse and trash left by tourists at Tibet's holiest natural landmark, Mount Kailash. The Chinese say they are aware of the ramifications, I'm don't believe they are equipped or think the world will be watching. I will.